I was very upset to hear about the unfortunate events over the long Australia Day weekend involving the tragic death of a young Canadian tourist visiting K’gari, and the subsequent culling of ten dingoes.
The coverage about this in your Friday edition on January 30, 2026, was substantial and obviously (rightly so) of considerable interest and importance, given how much space was devoted to it.
Journalist Mr Arthur Gorrie makes very clear from the outset his own stance about this in The Editor’s Desk, surmising that there is now a sad history of always blaming the dingoes which gets the government ‘off the hook’.
Other strong opinions pertaining to this are included from Save the Dingoes Spokesperson, Cheryl Bryant, and her Secretary, Karin Kilpatrick.
Dr Rene Charalambous from Humane World for Animals Australia put forth the very alarming scenario of such a large cull actually being detrimental to the survival of the species.
The traditional owners of K’gari, the Butchulla Tribe, expressed their dismay and disappointment about the killing and having never even been consulted beforehand; whilst the Environment Minister stated – as difficult as the decision was – he supported it.
A variety of responses by visitors to K’gari, plus a heartfelt letter from a local resident of Rainbow Beach are also included.
I would like to commend Gympie Today and Mr Gorrie for providing such a thought provoking overview of opinions and facts which affirmed that I am certainly not alone in wanting change.
Reading everything that was presented certainly gave me motivation to write directly to the Premier and the Environment Minister in hope that this will never happen again. (Letter previously sent)
Pauline Petrus,
Monkland
